Rugby: Dirty Play Gets a Player 80 week ban!

Die Beeld has reported that a school rugby player has been banned for 80 weeks after he punched a player from Waterkloof and followed up with a head butt.

Luaan Dowie (18) who is the Hoërskool Noord-Kaap’s first team flank, if this banning stands, will only be allowed to play rugby in 2015.

The Griqualand West Rugby Union banned Dowie this week due to the punching and head butt which occurred two weeks ago in the match between the first teams of Noord-Kaap and Waterkloof which Noord-Kaap narrowly won 34-30.

It also is reported that Dowie used to play for Garsfontein Hoerskool which is a neighboring school of Waterkloof before moving to play for Noord-Kaap.

Arni van Rooyen, the CEO of the Griqualand West Rugby Union (GWRU), said it “is has sent out a very strong message that this kind of foul play will not be tolerated.”

“It’s something that does not belong on any field, let alone in school matches,” added Van Rooyen.

Juandre de Beer, Waterkloof’s lock who was on the receiving end of Dowie’s attack, said that it was a severe punishment, but “ you have to think twice before you play dirty.”

After only 15 minutes of play Dowie was given a red card by the referee Mr. Francois de Bruin for a punch on Jandre de Beer.

Juandre mentions that “the game had not been going for long. There was a maul and I pulled (Dowie) out of the maul. I turned around and he pulled me back. I fell on by back and my hand glanced him as I fell.”

“Then I felt a punch in my face. I just remained lying on the ground and he got a red card. Then he came for me again. I just saw him out of the corner of my eye after the emergency staff was finished with me. He hit me with his head against my lip and I fell. My head was hurting and my lip was broken, but I had to play again. A person expects some roughness in the game.”

Dowie was a strong favourite to be included in the Griquas Craven Week side and claims that Juandre had scratched his eye just before the punching incident.